Prop. 2 -- Not for voters: Let Legislature make law

While The Reporter editorial board agrees with the sentiment behind Proposition 2, which would require egg-laying hens, veal calves and pregnant pigs to be treated more humanely on California's farms and ranches, it's the method to which the board objects.

This is an issue the Legislature should handle, not voters.

The measure, which is being sponsored by the Humane Society and the California Veterinarians Association is directed toward those who raise pigs, calves and chickens; however, the primary the focus is on egg-laying hens. That's because there is little veal produced in California, and farmers themselves have phased out gestation crates for pigs.

Some 90 percent or more of the state's 19 million egg-laying hens are caged. They live their entire lives in a space about 67 square inches.

As appalling as that may be, it didn't get to that point because egg ranchers have a desire to torture hens. Caging came about because of sanitation and safety issues having to do with the birds and the consumers who eat the eggs.

Passage of Proposition 2 could have a disastrous effect on the state's egg industry. And if those producers go out of business, Californians won't stop eating eggs -- they will just pay more to buy them from other states -- or even other nations, where standards may be even more lax.

This is why this issue should go through the legislative process, where ranchers and animal advocates can be brought in to create a law that will suit both of their interests. And when, as inevitably happens, that law creates an unintended consequence, the Legislature will be able to make the necessary adjustments.

If this is decided by voters, however, then only the voters can make the adjustments. Not only is that a cumbersome and unwieldy process, voters themselves are not well suited to becoming experts on the egg business or farming practices.

That's why Proposition 2 should be defeated at the ballot box -- and taken up by the Legislature at its earliest opportunity.